Primer for new players

Primer for Players wanting to participate in the Good Times Hockey League of the Arts (member of the Hockey Association of the Arts)

It is our priority to encourage the ideals we were founded on of sportsmanship, fun, safety, camaraderie, collaboration, cooperation, community, creativity, imagination, artistic expression, social involvement/awareness/activism, inclusion, fairness, communication, responsibility, empathy and participation among our members. Every team and player must promote them. We expect players and teams to take responsibility for their actions on the ice. We expect a common respect for everyone on the ice. We realize that on-ice confrontations always start from the actions of an opposing player. It is important to acknowledge that offenses are often accidental, but no matter what, retaliation is even more inexcusable and will often escalate the situation. A sincere apology after fouling someone is necessary.

Referees are present to supervise official games, and it is important to accept that they cannot see the entire surface of play and may not be able to witness every infraction. Players’ interaction should be no different in an official game then in a pick-up game without referees.

The team is the primary authority in maintaining discipline and promoting these ideals amongst its players. Specifically, we feel fighting, roughing, verbal abuse and harmful stick-work are not part of the game. We do not have any patience for it and it is not welcome. It is the team’s responsibility to filter out all of these unacceptable elements by not allowing certain players to play and preventing any on-ice confrontations.

If there are any issues with missed infractions or consistent unsportsmanlike behaviour from specific opposing players, it must be indicated to your own captain, who can then discuss it further with the referees and/or opposing captains during the game. After the game, the team can discuss issues with league officials and opposing team captains and managers to increase understanding within the framework of the league’s values and mission. Finally, every team must demand discipline from their own players before they request more from others.

You can read all the GTHLA rules on our website, www.goodtimes.exclaimhockey.ca. Our rules include some of the following stipulations:

1. There is no intentional body contact permitted.

2. Half or full visors or cages are mandatory

For Games…

3. We play without the centre red line. Automatic Icing is called from behind the blue line.

4. If a team is short-handed on the ice due to a penalty, they can only substitute when the puck is in play or the clock is stopped.

5. Players are only permitted to receive up to 4 minutes in penalties in a game (10 minute misconducts are equivalent to a 2 minute penalty for the purpose of this rule). If they receive more, they are ejected from the game and will be reviewed to assess whether more discipline is warranted. If a player is ejected for too many minor penalties, the opposing team will be rewarded a penalty shot instead of the team with the infraction having a player serve the 2 minute penalty in the penalty box.

There are 2 ways you can get involved with the league as an individual player…

1) Wanderers. $145 (This price will decrease by $15 after each game is completed.)

The Wanderers are a league sponsored team who play games within the league and travel to play exhibition games and tournaments abroad. You can reserve a spot on the roster for the team’s first 8 exhibition league games this season. This also includes an Individual League Member for the season.

2) Individual League Member. $25

This includes:

• Being on our Subs list database. We can enter your name, the position(s) you want to play, email address and/or phone number on our substitutions list so teams can contact you when they’re looking for substitutes. It’s the member’s responsibility to keep his/her contact information up to date with the league.

• Invitations to our bi-weekly “Commissioner’s open pick-up games”.

• We organize a round robin intramural series through the summer and sometimes in the winter season. They are called Intermingles. Members can sign up to be drafted on to teams. It’s simply a league initiative to further build familiarity and camaraderie among its membership by mixing players in a game setting.

• We are running hockey clinics throughout the season for anyone who wants to improve their hockey skills. You will get invitations to these.

• Eligible to participate in our GTHLAKids program

• Social Events

• Website

• A network of like minded hockey and Arts enthusiasts

• Collective philanthropy efforts and building further social awareness

You can send payment by email transfer to tom@hockeyaa.net or by mail to:

GTHLA
Dundas-Dovercourt Postal Outlet
PO Box 16010
Toronto, ON
M6J 3W2

Cheques and money orders should be made out to "GTHLA" or "Good Times Hockey". Please identify what the payment is for and what player it’s regarding. Paypal payments are possible, but additional fees apply.

(GST# 844871160)

We reserve the right to revoke any membership privileges without refund if any player violates the league’s mandate of fun safe community hockey.